Fintech firm opens door for Kenyans to trade U.S stocks

A growing number of fintech platforms in Kenya are enabling local investors to access global markets, including U.S.-listed stocks, with smaller capital requirements and simplified procedures.

The latest entrant in the space is cryptocurrency exchange Bitget, which has launched a tokenized stock trading service that allows users to invest in shares of companies such as Tesla, Apple, and Amazon using Kenyan shillings

Bitget joins other platforms like Hisa, Ndovu, Bamboo, and Trove, all aiming to ease retail access to international equities

For years, Kenyan investors seeking exposure to major U.S. stocks or indices like the S&P 500 faced challenges, including the need for offshore brokerage accounts, high minimum deposits, and complex onboarding processes.

The CEO Gracy Chen said these obstacles have historically driven many Kenyans toward forex and cryptocurrency markets instead.

“The new service bridges the gap by enabling traders to use Kenyan shillings through M-Pesa and peer-to-peer deposits to trade tokenised stocks on the same platform they already use for crypto,” said Chen.

Chen says users can begin trading with as little as Sh500, with over 100 tokenised companies and funds listed on the platform, including Netflix, Nvidia, JPMorgan Chase, Coca-Cola, and Berkshire Hathaway.

Industry analysts say such platforms could broaden investment options for local traders, who have largely been limited to domestic stocks, forex, or digital assets. However, they caution that while tokenised stocks offer diversification opportunities, they also expose investors to risks such as stock price volatility, currency fluctuations, and regulatory uncertainty.

The firm advised users to approach trading with caution, noting that digital asset trading carries significant risk, and investors should only use funds they can afford to lose.